The Nature of Electricity
The modern theory defines matter as electrical in nature. All matter is made up of extremely small particles called molecules, each of which has the properties of matter of which it is a constituent. The molecules, in turn are made up of atoms, which are the smallest units of several elements. An atom consists of central nucleus of positive charge around which small negatively charged particles, called electrons, revolve in different paths or orbits.
Free Electrons
The electrons which can be easily removed or detached from an atom are called free electrons.
In metals, the atom lie very close together in regular formed crystal lattice. The nearness of one atom to another causes the electron in the outer orbit or valence electrons of each atom to be attracted by the nucleus is relatively weak. As a result, a large number of electrons are free to drift about interatomic space from atom to atom. These are called free electrons. The free electrons can be easily removed by applying a small amount of external energy.
Charge
A body is said to be charged if it has either excess or deficit of electrons from normal due share. If an electron is freed from a neutral atom, the proton predominate and the atom is said to posses a positive electric charge.
Unit
The unit of charge is coulomb and 1 coulomb is equal to charge on 628 by 10 to the power of 16. We say that a body has a positive discharge of ano coulomb, it means that it has a deficit of 628 by to the power of 16 electrons from normal due share.
Electric Potential
It is a measure of the density and sign of the electric charge at a point relative to that at some time. Thus electric potential, like electric charges and electric current is a phenomenon of displaced charges that exist in matter. For example, consider a copper rod of six meters length having the same number of electrons and protons distributed uniformly throughout.
If by some means, such as intercepting the flux in a magnetic field, one billion electrons can be shifted towards one end of the rod, that end will posses positive charge. The two ends of rod will have a different of potential. Work has been done to create this difference of potential energy.
Nucleus
It is the central part of an atom and contains protons and neutrons. A proton is positively charged particle while the neutron has nearly the same mass as proton, but has no charge. Therefore, the nucleus of an atom is positively charged. The sum of protons and neutrons constitute the entire weight of an atom and is called its atomic weight, it is because the particles in the extra nucleus has negligible weight as compared to protons or neutrons.
Extra Nucleus
It is the outer part of an atom and contains electrons only. An electron is a negatively charged particle having negligible mass. The charge on an electron is equal but opposite to that on a proton. Also, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons in an atom under ordinary conditions. Therefore, an atom is neutral as a whole. The number of electrons or protons in an atom is called its atomic number.
Protective relays
Relay is a device by means of which an electric circuit can be controlled by the change in the same circuit or in other circuit. The primary function of the protective relay is to sense the fault in the system, compare the signal so obtained with the reference signal under normal conditions of operation and amplify the error signal such that the trip coil of the circuit breaker is energized and faulty section of the system is disconnected from the rest of the system.Under normal conditions of the system, a protective relay is required to keep itself alert such that in case of any emergency, the action may be taken almost instantneously.It should remain silent under normal condition. Under certain operating condition, the power system components are required to carry more than rated current on a temporary basis. During peak load condition, the power system components arc intentionally over-loaded. Under such conditions of operation, often known as abnormal condition, it is not necessary to disconnect the section from the system. When the operation parameters are unduly strained, the protective relays are required to energize the alarms such that proper precautions are taken.
The Basic Principles of Relays
In electromechanical relays, there are one or more coils, movable elements, contact system, etc. The operation of such relays depends on whether the operating torque/force is greater than the restraining torque/force.The relay operates, if the net force, F in equation given below is positive. Where F is the net force, Fo is the operating force and Fr is the restraining force. In other words, the relay operates only if the operating force is greater than the restraining force. In electromechanical relays, the operating torque is produced by electromagnetic attraction/electromagnetic induction/thermal effects of electric current. The restraining torque is given by springs.
The Classification of Relays
Protective relays are classified as follows according to their construction and the principle of operation.
1. Electromagnetic relays These are actuated by Direct current or Alternating current quantities.
2. Electomagnetic induction relays
3. Electothermal relays
4. Static relays these employ transistors or magnetic amplifiers to obtain the operating characteristic.
5. Electrodynamic relays these are operate on the same principle as moving coil instruments.
6. Under-voltage, under-current and under-power relays.
7. Over-voltage, over-current and over-power relays
8. Direntional or reverse current relays
9. Differential relays
10. Distance relays
The Basic Requirements of Protective System
The efficient protective relaying system should posses the following characteristics:
1. Speed
Minimum voltage and minimum fault time operate.
2. Selectivity
Maximum continuity of service by disconnecting the faulty part of the system.
3. Sensitivity
Capability of operating reliably under the actual desired conditions.
Protective Relays
These are the devices that detect abnormal conditions in electrical circuits by measuring the electrical quantities which are different under normal and faulty conditions. Due to abnormal conditions, voltage, current, phase and frequency may change. After detecting the fault, the relay operates to complete the trip circuit which results in the opening of the circuit breaker and isolating the faulty circuit.
1. The two main defects of the primary cells are local action and polarization.
2. Local action in the primary cell can be rectified by amalgamating the zinc electrode with mercury.
3. One factor affecting voltages of the primary cell is the types of plates and electrolyte.
4. Distilled or approved water is used in electrolytes because it prevents or slows down local action.
5. In electroplating, the positive electrode is called the anode.
6. The mass of an ion liberated at an electrode is directly proportional to the quantity of electricity which passes through the electrolyte. This statement is associated with laws of electrolysis.
7. The mass of material deposited over an electrode is proportional to quantity of electricity and electro chemical equivalent.
8. The condition of a secondary cell can be determined by the terminal voltage and strength of the electrolyte.
9. Nickle-cadium dry cell is becoming popular in power supplies for electronic calculators because it is rechargeable.
10. One advantage of a secondary cell is that it can be recharged.
11. Cell are connected in parallel to increase the current capacity.
12. Cells are connected in series to increase voltage output.
13. To obtain a high voltage of about 1.9 volts from a dry cell on would use magnesium cell.
14. While charging a battery, charge the battery in an airy room, remove the vent plugs during charging, keep flames etc. away from the battery and keep the charging current rate not more that 3 to 6 amperes.
15. If the internal resistance of a discharged battery is more it is not desirable to leave a lead storage battery in a discharged state for a long time mainly because plates will become sulphated.
16. To keep the terminals of a lead acid storage battery free from corrosion, it si advisable to keep the electrolyte level low.
17. If a sixty ampere hours battery has sixty seven ampere discharge rate, it will provide a current of six amperes for ten hours.
18. The ampere hour capacity of battery depends on the area of the plates.
19. Electrolyte of a storage battery is formed by adding suphuric acid to water.
20. Other types of accumulators besides the lead acid type are nickle cadmium batteries.
21. Electro-chemical equivalent is mass of the element liberated per unit of quantity of hydrogen.
22. Impurities in an electrolyte can cause an internal short circuit condition called local action.
23. The action of a dry cell is to change chemical action to electrical energy.
24. Polarization in dry cell can be got rid of by chemical means.
25. Gassing occurs in the process of charging an accurnuiator.
Terms used in Electrolysis
Anode
The plate or electrode through which the current enters the electrolyte or it may be defined as the plate or electrode connected to the positive terminal of supply.
Anions
The ions having negative charge are known as anions.
Atom
An atom is the smallest particle of matter which takes part in a chemical action.
Atomic weight
The atomic weight of an element is the relative weight of its atom compared with that of an atom of hydrogen. The atomic weight of H atom is taken as unity.
Cathode
The plate or electrode through which the current leaving the electrolyte or the plates connected to the negative terminal of supply mains.
Cations
The ions having positive charge are known as cations.
Chemical equivalent
The chemical equivalent of an element is the mass which is chemically equivalent to a unit mass of hydrogen.
Ions
When the current is passed through electrolyte, the electrolyte gets chemically decomposed, molecules of the electrolyte splits up into two parts known an ions.
Molecule
The molecule is the smallest particle of any substance which is capable of separate existence in a chemical form.
Valency
The valency of an element is the number of hydrogen atoms with which it will combine or with which it will replace in a compound.
The Definition
We know that Direct Current Generator is a machine which converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. The generator is usually driven by a steam engine or a diesel engine or an electric motor which are called prime movers.
The Principle
The principle of Direct Current Generator is it works on the principle of Faraday's Laws of electromagnetic induction. According to this law the conductors or armature are rotated in the magnetic field and electro magnetic force is induced in these conductors which is collected from the commutators fitted on the shaft of armature.
The Loop
The simple loop of a Direct Current Generator when the plane of the coil is at right angles to the lines of flux, the flux linked with the coil is maximum but the rate of change of flux linkage is minimum. As coil continues to rotate further, the rate of change of flux linkage increases, till it attains maximum value of 90 degree to 180 degree, the flux linked with the coil gradually increases resulting in decrease in induced electro motive force till it reduces to zero at 180 degree. A reversal of the trend occurs during next half revolution. For unidirectional current, the ends of the coil are connected commutation whose function is to reverse the connections to the rotating coil through fixed brushes and to collect the electro motive in one direction.
Four Reasons for failure of a generator to build voltage:
1.Defective contact of brushes with conmmutator due to dirt, insufficient pressure, tight brushes, dirty or rough commutators or projecting intersegment micas.
2. High resistance or open circuit in the shunt field circuit, faulty contact or burnt resistance in shunt regulators.
3. Loss of residual magnetism.
4. Reverse field connection or reversed speed.
Ten Reasons for sparking and Bad Bommutations:
1. Overload
2. Projecting intersegment micas.
3. Earth fault on armature
4. Armature short circuit
5. Incorrect brush position
6. Wrong grade of brushes
7. Reversed interpole coils
8. Brushes not properly bedded
9. Brushes not equally spaced
10. Worn Brushes
Question and answer about D.C. Generator
1. The armature of a DC generator is laminated to reduce eddy current loss.
2. In a shunt generator the voltage built up is generally restricted by the saturation of iron.
3. Copper loss in DC generators varies with load.
4. Full load efficiency of the generators is 92.51 percent.
5. Shunt generators are preferred for parallel operations.
6. In DC generator the ripples in the direct electro motive force generated are reduced by using commutator with large number of segments.
7. The functions of an interpole is to neutralize crossfield of armature reaction and obtain ideal commutation.
8. Equalizer connection are required when paralleling two compound generators.
9. A simple method of increasing the voltage of DC generator is to increase the speed of rotation.
10. In the commutation process it is the current which is getting reversed.
1. The curve representing Ohm's law in linear.
2. The condition in Ohm's Law is that the temperature should remain constant.
3. The Ohm's Law can be applied with certain reservations to electrolytes.
4. The presence of an electric current is made known by the effects produced.
5. An electric current can neither be seen nor touched.
6. Three important effects produced by the presence of a current heating, magnetic and electric shock.
7. Thermistor has negative coefficient of resistance.
8. International ohm is defined in terms of resistance of a column of mercury.
9. Resistors commonly used in power circuits are wire wound resistors.
10. When current flows through a heater coil it glows but the supply wiring does not glow because the resistance of heater coil is more than that of supply wires.
11. If the voltage applied across an electric press is reduced by 50 percent, the power consumed by the press will be reduced by is 25 percent.
12. In a parallel circuit the potential difference across the resistance is always constant.
13. In a series circuit the current is constant.
14. Voltage applied across a circuit acts as a force.
15. The resistance of carbon filament in carbon-filament lamps increases when its temperature is decreased.
16. The heating effect of current has an undesirable side effect in a vacuum cleaner.
17. When current flows in a conductor, the heat is produced because of inter atomic collision.
18. The temperature coefficient of a conductor is defined as the increase in resistance per ohm pwer degree centigrade.
19. The value of Joule's mechanical equivalent of heat,is equal of 4.2 Joules per calorie.
20. It was experimentally found by James Precott Joule that the heat produced in a current carrying conductor is proportional to the square of current.
21. The resistance of a conductor increases when its temperature is increased.
22. The specific resistance, depends upon the nature of the material of the conductor only.
23. Resistance of a conductor increases when its length increases.
24. The resistance of conductor is the hindrance by which the conductor opposes the flow of the current.
25. The minimum requirements to cause the flow of current are a voltage source and a conductor
Some Important Characteristics of Capacitors
1.The current through capacitor is zero, if the voltage across it is not changing with time.
2. A capacitor is sort of open circuit to direct current.
3. The capacitor never dissipates energy but only stores it.
4. A capacitor resits an abrupt change in voltage across it.
5. A finite amount of energy can be stored in a capacitor even if the current through capacitor is zero, such as when the voltage across it is constant.
6. It is impossible to change the voltage across a capacitor by a finite amount in zero time, for this requires infinite current through the capacitor.
Electrostatics Question and Answer
1. Relative permitivity of vacuum is unity.
2. In the electric field, the potential is the work done in joules to bring positive charge of one coulomb from infinity to that point.
3. The unit of field intensity is newtons/coulomb.
4. Coulomb's law for the force between electric charges most closely resemble with Newton's law of gravitation.
5. Mica medium has highest value of dielectric strength.
6. The maximum value of potential gradient in cable occurs in conductor.
7.A region around a stationary electric charge has electric field.
8. Inside a hollow spherical conductor electric field is zero.
9. The effect of the dielectric is to reduce the working voltage.
10. Electrolytic capacitor is the most commonly used type but it has two disadvantages, namely low insulation resistance and suitable for Direct current only has high capacitance and low insulation resistance.
11. In a radio a gang condenser is a type of air capacitor.
12. A sphere of one metre redius can attain a maximum potential of three kilo volt.
13.The power dissipated in a pure capacitor is zero.
14. In a capacitor the eletric charge is stored in dielectric.
15. One farad is one coulomb per volt.
16. If a dielectri is placed in an electric field, the field strength decreases.
17. If the medium of a parallel plate capacitor consists of mica and air, the capacitance is increased by increasing the area of plates.
18. A capacitor with capacitance is charged through a resistance. The time constant of the charging
circuit is given by RC.
Properties of Electric Lines of Forces
A line of force is supposed to start or emanate, from a unit with a positive charge. A line of force does not form closed loop unlike a magnetic line of force. The line of force is always normal to the surface of the body at the point from where they originate or terminate. No two lines of force can across each other. An electric line of force in the same direction repel each other and those in opposite direction attract each other. There will be neutral point in this case between the two sphere. An electric line of force has a tendecy to take an easy path.
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